Richard A. Sutherland, Jr., 73

Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 4:01 p.m.

ETOWAH — Richard A. Sutherland, Jr., 73, of Etowah, passed away on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, at Pardee Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Richard fought a courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard A. and Marjorie Scarfe Sutherland, and his brother, Donald Sutherland.

Richard’s adventurous and full life took him to many places around the world. He was born on Nov. 21, 1939, in Oakland, Calif. Richard spent his early years in Brazil, graduated from high school in New York, and served his country honorably in the United States Army. His career in coffee began in San Francisco where he imported green coffees from around the world. In 1977, Richard and his family moved to the island nation of Papua New Guinea where he bought exotic coffee from native growers and sold it on the world market. Returning stateside in 1982, Richard spent time in California, New Orleans and South Florida where his career transitioned to transportation. Richard had the privilege of driving various celebrities and dignitaries including, Dick Cheney, Norman Schwarzkopf, Buzz Aldrin, and Prince Edward. Richard moved to Hendersonville in 2001 where he continued driving for the local residents of Henderson County. For 10 years, Richard drove the blue route for Apple Country where he became well-loved by his regular riders. When not working, Richard enjoyed day trips in the mountains of western North Carolina in his Corvette convertible and hiking along the trails in DuPont Forest. An avid athlete and fan of sports, particularly college football, Richard was always up for a game of corn hole whenever friends or family came to visit.

<p>ETOWAH — Richard A. Sutherland, Jr., 73, of Etowah, passed away on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, at Pardee Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Richard fought a courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard A. and Marjorie Scarfe Sutherland, and his brother, Donald Sutherland.</p><p>Richard's adventurous and full life took him to many places around the world. He was born on Nov. 21, 1939, in Oakland, Calif. Richard spent his early years in Brazil, graduated from high school in New York, and served his country honorably in the United States Army. His career in coffee began in San Francisco where he imported green coffees from around the world. In 1977, Richard and his family moved to the island nation of Papua New Guinea where he bought exotic coffee from native growers and sold it on the world market. Returning stateside in 1982, Richard spent time in California, New Orleans and South Florida where his career transitioned to transportation. Richard had the privilege of driving various celebrities and dignitaries including, Dick Cheney, Norman Schwarzkopf, Buzz Aldrin, and Prince Edward. Richard moved to Hendersonville in 2001 where he continued driving for the local residents of Henderson County. For 10 years, Richard drove the blue route for Apple Country where he became well-loved by his regular riders. When not working, Richard enjoyed day trips in the mountains of western North Carolina in his Corvette convertible and hiking along the trails in DuPont Forest. An avid athlete and fan of sports, particularly college football, Richard was always up for a game of corn hole whenever friends or family came to visit.</p><p>A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Richard is survived by his wife of 37 years, Judith; daughters, Julia (Jeff) Lagaly, of Cary, Leslie Towstik, of Denver, Colo., Jill (Jake) Davis, of Fort Collins, Colo., and Rachel, of Mount Holly, Vt.; sons, John, of Danville, Calif., and Jason (Christine), of Baltimore, Md. His legacy includes eight grandchildren, Kendahl, Parker, Grant, Trenton, Andrew, William, Camden and Houston.</p><p>The family will receive friends at the home from 4-7 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013.</p><p>In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Richard's name at jajf.org-a charity devoted to providing relief to families and their children impacted by late-stage cancer.</p><p>A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.</p><p>Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.</p>